Collapsible ironing board



A g- 3 19 E. w. STEPHANY 2,950,552

COLLAPSIBLE momma BOARD Filed May 1, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1,

INVENTOR.

EMIL W. STEPHANY A ORNEYS FIG. 4

FIG. 2

Aug. 30, 1960 E. w. STEPHANY 2,950,552

COLLAPSIBLE' IRONING BOARD Filed May 1, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 8

INVENTOR. EMIL W. STEPHANY ATTORNEYS United States atent O COLLAPSIBLEmow G BOARD Emil W. Stephany, 7817 Cedar-brook Ave., Philadelphia 50,Pa.

Filed May 1, 1958, Ser. No. 732,198

3 Claims. (Cl. 38-139) This invention relates generally to collapsibleironing boards, and is especially concerned with improved structuralfeatures of collapsible ironing boards.

It is one object of the present invention to provide a highly improvedcollapsible ironing board construction which is adapted to be quicklyand easily collapsed and set-up by the average housewife without theexercise of undue exertion or skill, which is capable of being light inweight for convenient handling, and which is highly compact andextremely small in its collapsed condition so as to occupy a minimum ofspace in storage.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a collapsibleironing board having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in thepreceding paragraph which is rugged and durable in use, and extremelysimple in construction, so as to be capable of manufacture and sale at areasonable price.

It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide acollapsible ironing board construction including a plurality of hingedironing board sections, and collapsible leg assemblies cooperating withthe ironing board sections to be enclosed by the latter in the collapsedcondition, thereby presenting a neat and attractive appearance when notin use, and being entirely safe and easy to handle.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon readingthe following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings,which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which thescope will be indicated by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view showing an ironing board constructed inaccordance with the teachings of the present invention in its erected orset-up condition;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional elevational View takensubstantially along the line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a partial elevational view taken substantially along theline 33 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a partial horizontal sectional View taken substantiallyalong the line 44 of Figure 2;

Figure-5 is a longitudinal sectional view similar to Figure 2, butshowing the ironing board in an intermediate stage between its set-upand collapsed conditions;

Figure 6 is an elevational view, partly in section, similar to Figure 5,but showing the ironing board in its fully collapsed condition;

Figure 7 is a partial, sectional elevational view showing the instantironing board construction in a stage of erection approaching its set-upcondition; and

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 8-8 ofFigure 5 showing in greater detail certain structural features of theironing board legs.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically toFigures 1 and 2 thereof, the ironing board 2,950,552 Patented Aug. 30,1960 illustrated therein is generally designated 10, and includes aplurality of board sections 11, 12 and 13, illustrated in substantiallycoplanar horizontal disposition, and a pair of leg assemblies 14 and 15depending from the board sections for supporting engagement with a flooror other appropriate surface 16.

The ironing board sections are arranged in end to end relation, with thesection 12 located intermediate the outer or end sections 11 and 13. Theintermediate section 12 includes a substantially fiat top sheet 20having a pair of parallel spaced depending side flanges 21,substantially longitudinally with and extending along opposite sideedges of the sheet 20. A pair of parallel spaced, longitudinallyextending stiffener members 22 may be located inward of the side flanges21 and secured to the underside of the sheet 20. The upper sheet 20 ispreferably perforated to reduce weight, the perforations being omittedin the drawing for purposes of clarity.

The board end section 11 may be of longitudinally outward converging ortapering configuration, including a top sheet 23 arranged in end to endsubstantially coplanar relation with the top sheet 20 of theintermediate board section 12, and provided with 21 depending marginalor edge flange 24. In addition, a plurality of parallel spaced stiffenermembers are secured longitudinally on the underside of the sheet 23.More specifically, a pair of stiffener members 25 are secured extendinglongitudinally of the board end section 11 in respective alignment withthe stiffener members 22, while a central stiffener member 26 is securedto the underside of the sheet 23 extending longitudinally of and betweenthe stiffener members 25. Hinge means, such as a piano hinge 28,connects the adjacent ends of the panels 11 and 12 together for swingingmovement about an axis extending transversely of and substantiallycoplanar with the sheets 20 and 23. In particular, the hinge 28 includeshinge plates 29 secured to the underside of the adjacent end portions ofsheets 20 and 23, and a hinged pintle 30, defining the pivotal axis ofthe hinge, preferably located in the space between the adjacent endedges of the sheets 20 and 23.

The board end section 13 includes an upper, generally fiat sheet 33,which may be perforate to reduce weight, and which is illustrated insubstantially coplanar end to end relationship with the sheet 20 ofintermediate section 12, remote from the board end section 11. The upperor top sheet 33 of the board end section 13 may be generally rectangularin configuration, and is preferably provided with a depending marginalor edge flange 34 extending about its side and outer end edge margins.Additional longitudinally extending stiffeners 35 may be secured on theunderside of the sheet 33, in alignment with the stiifeners 22 of theintermediate sheet 20, if desired. Of course, additional stifleners maybe provided 'on any of the sheets 20, 23 and 33, if required.

Stated otherwise, the plates 38, which may be integral with thedepending edge flanges 21, are disposed generally vertically andlaterally spaced, facing relation, and the depending plates 39 are alsodisposed in laterally spaced, facing relation, each extending frombeneath the board end section 13 to beneath the board end section 12 andhaving its extending portion in facing engagement with the adjacentdepending plate 38. A pair of aligned 7 intermediate board section 12.

pivot pins 40 extend respectively through the overlapping portions ofthe pairs of plates 38 and 39, to thereby pivotally connect eachoverlapping pair of plates and consequently to -pivotallyconnect theboard sections,12 It will be noted that the aligned ,pivot pins 40. arelocated in spaced relation belowthe board sections 12'and1'3, andspecifically in spaced relation beneath the Fixedly secured on thelaterall, outersidefoffeach stiffener 35 ofthe board end section 13,adjacent to and SPfiCfidTrom the intermediate board section 12,'is anangle member or bracket 43. As best seen in Figure 2, "each anglebracket 43 has one arm disposed generally vertically and fixedly securedto the laterally, out'erside of a respective stiffener 35, as by a rivet44. The other arm. 45 of each angle bracket 43 is located adjacent toand spaced beneath the sheet 33, extending laterally outward from itsassociated stiffener 35. Each bracket arm 45 is'generally flat andinclined at an angle with respect tothe board sheet 33 in thelongitudinal direction of the latter, and combined with the. sheet 33 todefine an opening 46 facing generally toward the intermediate boardsection 12 and converging in the direction away "from the latter. 7 7

The leg assembly 14 is of telescopically extensile and contractileconstruction, including an upper and outer tubular part 50, and a lowerand inner tubular part 51 having its upper end telescopically slidablethrough the lower end of the upper part. The lower end portion of uppertubular part 54) may be longitudinally grooved, as at 52, to facilitateradial expansion and contraction thereof; and, a clamping element orband 53 maybe cireumposed about the grooved lower end of tubular partfor releasably contracting the latter to clamp the same firmly againstthe received portion of lower tubular part 51. As best seen in Figure 8,the clamping member or band 53 consists of a loop circumposed about thelower end of outer part 50 and having radially outwardly projecting legs54 through which extend an adjustable and releasable fastener, such as athreade'delement 55 carrying a nut 56 Thus, the band 53' is releasablyclamped about the tubular part 50 to retain the tubular part 51 in aselected position of adjustment with respect to the first named tubularpart.

Fixedly secured on the lower end of'the lower tubular part 51 is alaterally extending cross member 59, prefer- .ably having yieldablebumpers or caps 60 on its opposite ends. The cross member thus definesthe foot affording lateral stabilityto the leg assembly 14, while thecaps 60 may be of rubber or other suitable material to prevent slippingand scratching by the leg assembly.

A pair of generally rectangular, substantially flat plates '62 and 63are arranged in edge to edge, substantially coplanar relationimmediately beneath the adjacent portions of section sheets 20 and 23,and are hingedly conbeneath the sheet 20 to beneath the sheet 23, beingfree of the latter for swinging movement about the pivotal axis 65. Theupper end of upper leg part 50 is secured to the underside of plate 63,as by being fastened at 67 to a bracket 68 which is fixed to the plate.

A brace 69 has its opposite ends fixedly secured to the tubular part50,- intermediate the end of the latter, and 'to the plate 63 spacedfrom the brackets 68 and pintle 65. A latch member 70 is mounted on thestiifener 26 of "the end board section 11 for'sliding movementlongitudinally of the board section, as by a pin in slot 71, and isillustrated in Figure 2 in its extreme inward position of slidingmovement in retaining engagement beneath the plate 63. Thus the latchmember 70 prevents swinging .movement of the leg assembly 14 about thepivot axis in the counterclockwise direction, as seen in Figure 2, whilethe location of plate 63 partially beneath the sheet 20 prevents furtherswinging movement of the plate about the pivot axis in the clockwisedirection. Parts of the leg assembly 14 are omitted in Figure l forclarity of illustration, the construction being adequately shown in theremaining figures.

The leg assembly 15 includes a pair of laterally spaced legs, as seen inFigure 1, each leg being of telescopically extensile and retractileconstructionand including an upper and outer tubular part 75, and alower and inner tubular part 76 having its upper end slidably extendingthrough the lower end of the upper tubular part. Clamping means 77 areprovided on the lower region of each upper leg part 75, which may be ofa construction similar to the clamping means 53 described hereinbefore.A lateral brace 74 may be provided extendingbetween the upper leg part75. V V 1 Adjacent to the upper end of each upper leg part 75 are a pairof generally coplanar, horizontal plates 78 and 79 arranged in edge toedge engagement immediately beneath the sheets 20 and 33. Morespecifically, each plate 78 is fixedly secured in facing engagement withthe undersurface of the sheet 20 adjacent to and spaced inward from theend edge of the latter sheet adjacent to the sheet 33, while each' plate79 extends from the adjacent plate 78 beyondthe end edge of sheet 20into position beneath the adjacent portionof sheet 33. Further, in theset up condition illustrated in Figure 2, the outer end or extendingportion 80 of plate 79 is engaged in the adjacent opening 46 definedbetween the sheet 33 and adjacent bracket arm 45. A suitable hinge 81 issecured to and hingedly connects eachadjacent pair of plates 78 and 79,with the hinge axis in alignment with each other laterally of theintermediate board section 12. It will be noted that the axis of hinges817is located closely adjacent. to the underside of, and beneath thesheet 20, appreciably spaced above the axis of pins 40. Further, in theset-up condition, the openings 46 each face inward generally toward theadjacent hinged connection 81. a

' Each of the plates 79 is fixedly secured to a respective upper legpart 75, as by a bracket 82 and a brace 83, so that the leg parts arerotatable together with the plates 79 about the axis of hinges 81. It isapparent in Figure 2 that the plates 79, and therefore the leg parts -75and 76 fixedly carried by the plates, are prevented from rotating in thecounterclockwise direction by engagement of the plates 79 with theundersurface of sheet 20. Also,

with the leg assembly 15 having its feet 84 seated on the supportingsurface 16, the plate 79 bears upward against the undersurface of sheet33, to prevent rotation of thelatter in the clockwise direction aboutits axis 40.

However, when it is desired to collapse the instant ironing board, it isonly necessary-to first slide'the latch member.70. outward or to theleft, as seen in Figure 2, out of retaining engagement with the plate63. The board end section 11 may. then be swung upward (clockwise asseen in the drawings) through the position of Figure 5, to the fullycollapsed position of Figure 6. The leg assembly 14 may be contracted byloosening of the clamping mem-' ber 53, and swung counterclockwisethrough the position of Figure 5 into the position of Figured closelyunder- ,lying' the intermediate board section. The leg assembly 15 mayalso be contracted;. and, upon simultaneous rotaltion of the latter legassembly and the board end section 13 in the direction indicated inFigure 5, it is apparent that the openings 46 willrmove to increasetheirdistance fromcthe pintle axis 81 for automatic withdrawal of thedownward a greater distance than the plate extensions and the latterwillautornatically withdraw from theopenings.

The leg assembly 15 is then swingable upward to closely underlie theintermediate board section 12, as in Figure 6, and the board end section13 is swingable clockwise to underlie and protectively cover thecollapsed leg sections 14 and 15. The fully collapsed condition, and itsrelatively small size, is illustrated in Figure 6.

Erection or set-up of the ironing board may be accomplished by merereversal of the above described procedure. One phase of this procedureis illustrated in Figure 7, wherein the plate extensions 80 arepartially engaged in their respective board end section openings 46.Obviously, continued counterclockwise rotation of either the board endsection 13 or the leg assembly 15, as indicated by the arrow in Figure7, will achieve and result in the set-up condition of Figures 1 and 2.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides acollapsible ironing board construction which fully accomplishes itsintended objects and is well adapted to meet practical conditions ofmanufacture and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by Wayof illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, itis undertood that certain changes and modifications may be made withinthe spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A collapsible ironing board comprising an intermediate board section,a pair of end board sections arranged respectively in substantiallycoplanar end to end relation with opposite end regions of saidintermediate board section in the set-up condition, a pair ofcollapsible leg assemblies pivotally connected to the underside of saidintermediate board section adjacent to respective ends thereof and eachswingable between its set-up condition depending from said intermediatesection and its collapsed condition closely underlying said intermediatesection, a first hinge means connecting one of said board end sectionsto said intermediate board section for swinging movement from its set-upcondition to a collapsed condition closely overlying said intermediateboard section, second hinge means connecting the other of said board endsections to said intermediate board sections for swinging movement fromits set-up condition to a collapsed condition spaced under saidintermediate board section and closely underlying said pair of legassemblies in their collapsed condition, said second hinge means havingits pivotal axis located adjacent to and below the pivotal axis of theadjacent one of said leg assemblies, a bracket on the underside of saidother board end section and spaced below the underside of said otherboard end section to define with the undersurface of said other boardend section an opening facing generally toward the pivotal axis of theadjacent one of said leg assemblies, and an extension on said adjacentone of said leg assemblies respectively engageable in and withdrawablefrom said opening upon simultaneous swinging movement of said other endsection and the adjacent leg assembly to their set-up and collapsedconditions.

2. A collapsible ironing board according to claim 1, in combination witha second extension on the other of said leg assemblies and swingabletherewith into and out of closely underlying supporting relation withrespect to said one board end section when the latter is in its set-upcondition, and latch means on said one board end section releasablyholding said second extension in its closely underlying relation.

3. In an ironing-board construction, a pair of board sections arrangedin end-to-end relation, hinge means connecting the adjacent ends of saidboard sections for swinging movement of said board sections betweenhorizontal coplanar relation and facing relation with their undersidefacing toward each other, said hinge means having a pivotal axis locatedon the underside of and spaced from said board sections so that saidboard sections are spaced from each other in their facing rela tion, acollapsible leg assembly pivotally connected to the underside of one ofsaid board sections with its pivotal axis located in spaced relationabove the pivotal axis of said hinge means, a bracket on the undersideof the other board section and spaced beneath the undersurface of saidother board section to define an opening between said bracket and theundersurface of said other board section facing generally toward thepivotal axis of said leg assembly, and an extension on said leg assemblyand swingable about the pivotal axis of said leg assembly forwithdrawable insertion into said opening upon simultaneous swingingmovement of said leg assembly and other board section relative to saidone board section.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,264,816 Lanza Apr. 30, 1918 1,520,589 Matkovic Dec. 23, 1924 1,804,573Vaughan May 12, 1931 2,035,718 Perl Mar. 31, 1936 2,333,784 Harris Nov.9, 1943 2,622,353 Mendelson Dec. 23, 1952 2,721,407 Sutherland Oct. 25,1955

